Palin is Back at Work.

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I looked at the Anchorage Daily News today, and my first thought was, “Hey, isn’t that the lady from TV?” Yes, indeed, Governor Sarah Palin is back in Alaska and it looks like she’s working!

After the national media descended on Alaska last summer, like ravens on a Wendy’s dumpster, many things were dragged out into the spotlight that otherwise might have lingered in Alaskan obscurity. I think of that bizarre phenomenon like a team of ten or twelve strangers coming into your house and emptying out your closets, taking inventory, and then writing about it. You’d realize that maybe you had some strange stuff in there, that you had just gotten used to, and other stuff you didn’t even know was in there…but now that you look at it all in the light of day, through someone else’s eyes, you realize that maybe you should have been cleaning out your closets more often. One of those things was the Palin administration’s record on health care for children and pregnant women. The national media was not kind in its analysis of how Palin was caring for women and children, and many Alaskans had been furious about it for some time, and felt vindicated by the media analysis from outside the state.

Lawmakers have scrapped for years over Denali KidCare, which provides health insurance for lower income children and pregnant women. Palin last year opposed the push to increase coverage — even though the state was enjoying a huge surplus at the time from high oil prices. It’s one of dozens of policy calls that came under scrutiny as the governor became a national figure in the wake of her nomination this summer for vice president.

Palin, pressed on why she’s now changed her position, kept repeating that it is an opportunity for more children to be covered.

And, as usual, nobody is happy. Democrats think she hasn’t gone far enough, and Republicans think she’s gone too far. But Republicans will likely not stop it, and Democrats will take what they can get.

One of the good things that has come from Palin’s run for VP, is that Alaskans have been forced to look outside the bubble. Those who have felt that Palin’s policies and attitudes were not in alignment with their own, are now realizing that a lot of other Americans out there share their sentiments. It’s hard sometimes to remember that out there is a big wide world that isn’t Alaskan.

We were all expecting, with the price of oil dipping below $40/barrel yesterday, that the state budget was once again going to fall victim to Palin’s dreaded red pen. So this increase in an “entitlement program” in the face of plummeting oil prices, and the coming economic crunch, came as a bit of a surprise. I wonder how much her decisions in the next few years will be made in consideration of that world outside. She has plans for 2012, after all…

Palin will release the rest of her proposed state budget next week and said not to expect any significant cuts. She downplayed the danger falling oil prices pose to the state budget, saying Alaska is in a far better position than other states.

Palin claimed the state could still end up with a surplus even if oil averages $45 a barrel over the next several months.

David Teal, the state Legislature’s chief budget analyst, said that is possible for the current fiscal year that ends in June. But he has doubts. “Oil is falling pretty fast; we don’t know if we’re going to have a surplus or a deficit,” Teal said in an interview. Palin’s new spending plan, though, would start in the next fiscal year — when Alaska oil prices would have to average at least $20 a barrel more than now to balance the budget.

Welcome to the season of tight-rope walking, fiscal wrangling and hand-wringing as we try to pack all that stuff back in the closet.

52 responses

Yep, she’s playing to her bigger audience – her gov’t might not be transparent but she sure is.

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Erin(10:13:12) :

My first thought when I saw her on the local news this morning was, “Well, at least she’s back in town.”

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InJuneau(10:14:01) :

Yeah, when I heard the announcement on last night’s news, I thought, “huh, she’s trying to get back in the good graces of Alaskans. You don’t suppose she finally heard (and comprehended) about our season of discontent, do you?” Not that I’m not happy about increases in Denali KidCare, for the sake of those who need it, but give me a break…

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Denise sansMSgaAZca(10:20:13) :

May be a lucky break for those Alaskans who had been less favored when Palin was playing her home game. Looking only to appeal to conservatives and evangelicals.

Now that she is looking for attention to follow her “good” administration, then Alaskans can lobby with that in mind. Use Palin’s national desire to help obtain what Alaskans have been needing. Perhaps the special needs kids will actually see funding increased rather than cut. Else those pesky national reporters will notice.

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halcrow(10:24:13) :

Thanks, AKM.

While Alaska is only a small part of the world, the effect of falling energy prices will similarly impact greatly upon other American states; upon Canada’s oil-producing provinces; and upon many of those benighted, immoral oil-producing countries which cream off the revenue for the elite.

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Grammy in PA(10:25:03) :

Also on the ADN today:

Palin won’t release Troopergate deposition
As far as Gov. Sarah Palin is concerned, her office says, Troopergate is behind her and she won’t provide a transcript of her testimony in an investigation into whether she violated ethics laws in firing Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan

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LibertyLover(10:25:35) :

Do you constitutionally have to balance your budget?

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Hope(10:28:17) :

austintx (09:45:40) :
I won’t even stop to pee at Exxon while on a road trip…….

Actually, that might be the only appropriate symbolic act to perform at an Exxon station… AKM

*****AKM, you are, as always, priceless! I laughed out loud at Austintx’s comment, and then again at your response!! Oh, YEAH!!!

And your description of the closets! HILARIOUS!! Now just so we don’t let her “fix” everything as if those closets had never been opened!!! Gotta keep on it!

Does seem like she’s back to trying to buy favor, but at best, she’s only buying time…. I imagine she’s banking on oil prices rising again, in time to ‘save’ her and the state budget. Faith, and all that.

Tick… tock… tick… tock….

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Gus(10:40:40) :

“Or maybe we have witnessed one of the biggest frauds in American political history and the biggest failures among the American media in a very, very long time.”

Some political consultant told Palin what she needs to do to avoid criticism on certain issues that are important to independents. I still don’t see how she can get past the stupid factor and religious issues. Then there is snubbing Oprah. Remember how well McCain did snubbing Letterman? Finally, the money she spent on the campaign is not going to go away.

When Alaskans stop getting the things they are used to getting from the State, how long do you think her popularity figures will stay above the mean?

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Grammy in PA(12:11:29) :

What is FOIA?

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nswfm CA(12:16:33) :

AKM, “like ravens on a Wendy’s dumpster” was so true–down in CA, it’s the seagulls on a Carl’s/Wendy’s/McD’s dumpster. Hope AK throws SP into the dumpster since she’s such a dumbster.

And peeing / Exxon station was what I thought when I read Austin’s comment, but then got busy at work!

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nswfm CA(12:16:58) :

Freedom of Information Act FOIA

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shrinkdr(12:22:53) :

Amazingly, ran into the Lt. Gov. this morning on the flight to Fairbanks. He says, “what they are not saying (in the newspaper) is that this is not new money.” I believe he indicated it was unused teacher incentive $$. Expressed my appreciation and left it at that.

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austintx(12:24:02) :

When you look at the picture – it is obvious that it is some sort of padded belt……..just stare for a few moments…….she is a pathetic lying sack of shit !!!

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nswfm CA(12:24:10) :

She’s a fraud in my book. Sullivan photo from above: I’ll bet her fake baby bump had shifted to the side and is hiding under that big coat. She’s not pregnant in that photo, and the strap label is kinda showing if you look at the palindeception blog from the Night Kitchen a couple of nights ago. I thought the flying while leaking story was complete moose poo the first time I heard it. No legitamate medical doctor would advocate a giant malpractice suit like that.

Comments will “live longer” there, and continue the conversation beyond the life of this thread, and will allow the blog to remain OT! A win-win!😀

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austintx(12:47:26) :

BTW – where is the Dr. ??????

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texasbrian(12:50:36) :

Hmmm…Palin is back to work. When does her Christmas break? Probably next week.

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texasbrian(12:51:27) :

whoops…meant to say when does her Christmas break start.

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Winski(12:58:05) :

Did SP remember where her office was?? Or did she have to mush around on TP’s snow machine for a while??

I do NOT envy anyone in Alaska right now cause it seems she’ll try everything out on you first before her hardcore right-wing neonuts try to get it to fly in the lower 48..

What’s the deal on her refusing now to release the testimony in her Troopergate deposition she ‘promised’ she was going to release?? Hummm….

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pvazwindy(12:58:34) :

Now is this part of Sarah’s budget or Todd’s? Nice to hear that the Palin family is giving a little thought to Alaska. Last I read she had Georgia on her mind.

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pdx mb(13:01:54) :

I am eating pie for lunch (pumpkin chiffon and then apple…) so, of course, had to stop by for some company.

Personally, I don’t see how Sarah can possibly stand up to the everyday scrutiny she will surely be subject to now. It’s that old test of time. She just won’t last.

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CRFlats(13:07:56) :

Sorry, sort of OT, but this just came across my desk, and muddies are always asking “how can I help?”. I hope someone who knows how to navigate the forum will post where it belongs:

The Mitzvah Mall:

Instead of buying material gifts this holiday season, Alaskans have
the chance to do something a little different. They can shop at
Anchorage’s first-ever Mitzvah Mall and purchase some goodwill that
will continue the giving for months to come. The Mitzvah Mall, an
alternative gift fair, will be held on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 1 to 4 p.m.
at Congregation Beth Sholom. Mitzvah is Hebrew for “good deed,” and
the Mitzvah Mall allows shoppers to donate to local non-profits on
behalf of friends, family or others on their holiday gift list.

Thirty local non-profits will offer everything from the chance to buy
groceries for a hungry family to paying for a juvenile diabetes kit,
funding a therapeutic outing for a child or purchasing a safe night of
lodging for a rape victim. Shoppers receive decorative gift cards to
present to the person in whose honor the gift was purchased. Gifts are
in various price ranges, from $5 to $100 and up.

Sarah Palin has proved she can lie and get away with it.
She will say that she TRIED to get increased health care for women and children but that the mean legislators threw out her plan.
Of course the fact that she vetoed it twice before(when it could easily be paid for) will never see the light of day UNLESS people are willing to keep tract of things like this and call her on it

This is a wonderful idea; I just sent the Congregation an email asking how out-of-staters can donate. If anyone is interested, I will let you know what I find out-

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CO Almost Native(13:42:00) :

Grammy in PA (10:25:03) :
Also on the ADN today:

Palin won’t release Troopergate deposition
As far as Gov. Sarah Palin is concerned, her office says, Troopergate is behind her and she won’t provide a transcript of her testimony in an investigation into whether she violated ethics laws in firing Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan

I wonder if the Alaskan Legislature will roll over and play dead on this, or if they’ll bite the hand that feeds them, and decide which investigation is correct.

all I can say is I’m glad you have her and we don’t …we have enough problems with ‘Good Hair Perry’…and ole Kay is going after his job…why can’t we get a democrat to run for Govenor besides a guitar playing mystery writer…????

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katiebegood(13:58:05) :

The thing that amazes me the most about this baby story is that if she was not pregnant, there are an awful lot of people in Alaska who are covering for her including the staff at the hospital where Trig was supposedly born.

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Trini(14:09:41) :

Back to work? Is she OK? Does she need to lie down? Or, maybe, just lie……..

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pvazwindy(14:16:39) :

shrinkdr (12:22:53) :

Amazingly, ran into the Lt. Gov. this morning on the flight to Fairbanks. He says, “what they are not saying (in the newspaper) is that this is not new money.” I believe he indicated it was unused teacher incentive $$. Expressed my appreciation and left it at that.

************ “Unused teacher incentive money”, figures. And Alaskans have the highest dropout rate in the country. Now I know that Alaska has plenty of wonderful teachers just as all states do, but what on earth is she doing spending dollars taken from a teacher incentive program. Wouldn’t this money be better spent on those teachers who are marginlized? Just wondering.

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austintx(14:30:56) :

Yellowdoggranny – Kinky is actually smart and has good ideas…he just putzs around too much.

your Ms. Palin will be under a magnifying glass from now on until she’s busted, along with those fools protecting her, it’s bound to happen. Course she doesn’t believe that, lol. Neither did Ted.

House cleaning is always a good healthy thing. Trouble is those dang closet skeletons that won’t stop rattling. Can you hear them? I can, way down here!

Where’s that Pastor?…..I don’t think he successfully cast out all that all witchcraft business…..something evil within her has some under her spell. Maybe shake some closet bones or something. Chant? Dance in the spirit?

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KarenJ(15:42:11) :

Alaskans got FOURTEEN days of work out of Sarah Palin, of the 30 days since the Presidential election! Wow!!

From the latest headlines, she also spent a little time padding the Alaska state budget for her new pet projects — health care for children (and probably later, especially children with special needs — aren’t you lucky, all you Alaska taxpayers?)

More compalints need to be registered with the Legislature/somebody. The more you let her get away with, the more she will take, and laugh in your face. You have someone there that thinks they are above the law–just like Cheney.
Love this blog–follow you everyday.

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Catherine(22:52:47) :

This woman is a hazard. Thank you for trying to keep her honest and bringing her conduct to the attention of us in the lower 48. It is incomprehensible how she consistently says that something is reprehensible and then she does just what she said was so awful.

I hope she gets banished back to Wasilla where she can lead a quiet life and slowly disappear.

There is the possibility that she views these positions of Governor and VP/President as figure heads with nothing more to do but preen about and go out shopping and do whatever. Well let her live in her dreamworld because the reality is there will be a day of reckoning . If the GOP are considering the Barbie and brother Jeb as their salvation — God help the USA.